Premier League — Week 19

How come the ref needed VAR to see such a blatant penalty? Beggars belief.

Man City ruthless of late. Building up that goal difference.

Remember us over Christmas 1986? It's such a defining part of the season and why I wait until we're into January.

Conte is starting to do it for Spurs. He's a formidable manager.

Sheer desire and commitment from the Tottenham player to want the ball for that second goal.

The Palace defender on the other hand was on the back foot, facing the wrong way and didn't want it. Allowed himself to get bullied out of the way because he wasn't facing the play.

Here's a thought that sits uncomfortable with me. But Palace are apparently playing this game without 7 established players today.

We complained but were initially turned down in our request to cancel today's game. But the manager wouldn't back down. Maybe, as much as a lot of us don't like him, we've got a disruptive gobshite who will stand up to the establishment and be listened to. Hopefully he'll do it a board level too.

Zaha has been getting away with shit like that for ages. Glad he got what he deserved. How he had the nerve to complain about his petulant outburst is beyond me. He knew what he done.

Quite right, Danny, about Benitez moaning. He's a canny, difficult man; everything we've lacked for so long. This fella is going to make the difference over time, whether we like him or not.

Danny (2 and 4),

Yes, City – 14 goals for and none against in the last three games and a second half to come. Zaha getting away with murder every game got what he deserved today.

Tony (5), The longer Mr Benitez is here, the better we will become, as long as he allowed as much scope as possible. The longer Billy Boy stays, the more we will stay the same, or worse if it is possible.

Agreed on both counts, Dave @6. But I think Kenwright is now finished. The Brands departure was pivotal.

I had given up any hope of Usmanov having a serious interest after the European Super League stuff, but I think he's just refocusing.

The long game it is.

Tony (7),

I hope you are correct but I'm not sure that Kenwright is finished yet.

City have collapsed. 4-3 now

Could/should have been 7 or 8 up at ht.

Yes, Ray, excellent game. I think Man City will win it even so.

5-3 now!! Raining goals at the Emptyhad

Pretty empty at West Ham too, Londoners starting to get it.

21 goals in 4 games – what have these players been drinking over Xmas?

Defending is important.

But ultimately you win games by scoring goals.

For those not happy with the 52,000 capacity for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, look at the empty seats at Tottenham and the Etihad

As they say, attack gets you the points but it is your defense that keeps them.

But they will all post capacity crowds Danny, FFP and all that.

Dave @ (6), why didn't you keep your big mouth shut.

Boxing Day used to be full houses. I think Covid has scared them off.

Commentator sympathizing with West Ham saying they are jaded; no mention of how well Southampton played.

7th spot still up for grabs between a few clubs. Not us though.

Don't know about that Jeff. Not sure how much pulling power Man City have.

It's not known as the Empty-had for a reason. They struggle to fill it despite years of success.

Kunal @20, there's more than half a season left. We have to stop being miserable.

Being realistic mate, we have 19 points after 17 games. Going to need around 55 points for 7th. Our second half season form would need to be almost top 4 like.

Highly highly unlikley when you factor in a small squad and further injuries to come together with a manager who plays conservative football.

We sure as hell lit a fire under the Arse. Since we beat 'em, they've been the hottest thing in England. Won five straight. 19 goals for, 2 against.

Danny #21, why do you think that is? Are ManCity fans still widely outnumbered by Man Utd fans in Manchester?

Ho Ho Ho! Are you all full of the yuletide spirit? 🍺🍺🍺🥂🥂🥂

Tony, if Villa can do it, we sure as hell can. Just need a good window. And some good health.

Mike, Arsenal were dire at Goodison, apart from the top 2 or 3 this is a pretty poor league, or open, whichever way you look at it.

Man Utd fill Old Trafford with tourists, Man City have more locals but probably a bit like us, 50,000 tops.

I know, it's tough, Kunal, but I believe we can do it. Mike, quite right, good health above all.

By the way, Mr. Mykolenko looks a proper unit. YouTube evidence I admit, but promising.

I think it's a global brand thing Mike.

It's why only Man Utd & our Red Cousins can do it.

Man City, Chelsea and even Arsenal can't fill a 60k stadium. So let's not kid ourselves. Even Juventus have downscaled.

It's why our plans for 52k are sensible in my opinion.

I'd rather see a "full to the rafters" Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium than one littered by empty seats.

Chalobah at Chelsea looks suspect to me, thought that when he came on against us, and in some other performances.

Lukaku just can't seem to get a game for Chelsea. Think we could get him on loan? 😀😀

Mendy should have saved that.

Barkley too Rob.

Actually, Jeff, there are rumours about Barkley.

Villa lead didn't last long.

Would you have him back, Rob?

Deffo Jeff. Doubt we'll get him back now, seeing as he's just scored. 🙁🙁

Actually, Danny, if I were to take a guess, City have gradually built a new global brand over the past decade because the way they play is so appealing. People like me watch their games on TV now. They just haven't seen overseas butts in the seats yet, because they haven't won anything big in Europe. That's the next step.

Rom's first goal in more than three months.

Ha, ha, Rob, I meant Barkley, but I think you knew that. 😉

Mike, he's been injured for 2 months.

No penalty that, Rom fouls Konta.

Powerful run by Lukaku to earn another Chelsea penalty. By the way, what have we done to deserve Martin Atkinson as fourth official, and even more worrying, Lee Mason as the VAR official, against Newcastle?

Could be worse, Moss on VAR with his tin of Roses.

7th place finish is very unlikely. I'd like us to go all out in the FA Cup. It is vitally important this club wins something again – which starts with the players and manager daring to try (even if we fall short).

Robert agreed, a fighting spirit and gutsy winning cup run, and a trophy win, is needed, as it's getting closer to a 3 decade drought.

I'm feeling optimistic for 2022, for matters Everton, and it's not the Auchentoshan, kicking in.

Forget about Barkley and Lukalu. Let's look to the future with Onyango and Simms.

Lukaku looked unfit and overweight to me. He was blowing for tugs every time he went on a run. Let's be grateful we've got Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison with Dobbin, Simms and Onyango coming through.

Nice one Jay #45 😂😂😂

You're probably right on the global brand thing with Man City, Mike.

I suppose I'm looking at it more locally. They continue to struggle to fill that stadium. Like us, in that respect, they still rely on local traditional support or idiots like me and dedicated followers like you when you get the opportunity for match day support. Not the tourist, club shop hordes that our red cousins attract.

And even UK-wise, being a resident of London, I often gauge it by the shirts I see around my locality. When I first came here in 2004, it was all Manchester United. Alhough I'm based in West London, even Chelsea wasn't too prominent then, but that's changed over the years. Shit-loads of so-called life-long Chelsea fans who I'm convinced used to wear Man Utd tops. Liverpool shirts have become more visible in the last few years; sickens me. Man City hasn't really caught on though, even in this fickle bandwagon-chasing football place that is our capital. Maybe as you say, their focus has been elsewhere.

Me, the Evertonian, and my local Irish pub landlord, who is a genuine lifelong Man City supporter, are lone voices amongst the glory-following sheep where I live.

This season sucks. Man City running away with it, Liverpool will tank during the African Nations Cup, Chelsea tanked without Chilwell. The bottom three adrift. The rest of us just going through the motions.

No relief in the cricket either Kieran. England are so bad, they make Everton appear somewhat competent.

Jeff.

I've always found Man City fans very much behind Man Utd in numbers in Manchester (I'm there a lot in my job), it's only the likes of us that have a strong local support (mostly north Liverpool) which stems from generations of overspill from Scottie Road etc.

That's the only stick we can beat these shiesters with these days but, if we continue to have this corner-shop mentality (Bill etc), we will become less and less relevant even in this city. Plus this glorious pursuit of 7th place every year doesn't help.

Average age of football fans is rising and has been for years. Man City presently have built a supporter base far broader than at any time previously in their history. City probably have, in percentage terms, as many so-called "band wagoners" as other successful teams have done in previous eras. It's the overall number itself that is lower.

Hope every Toffee had a merry crimbo. Just a few facts as our illustrious manager likes to say. Most managers know it's so much easier setting a team up not to get beat than to set one up to win. Sam Allardyce, Tony Pullis, Raffa Benitez, David Moyes…

Very rarely do you win anything playing this way. People will throw Rafa's trophies at me but he got the starting 11 wrong in the European Cup Final and got very lucky. Anyone thinks this man is the answer, be prepared for his excuses.

We might be in luck. Both Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximan have gone off injured tonight.

Newcastle have played very well and probably should be winning.

Newcastle deserve the 3 points Lee

Tremendous passion by the Barcodes tonight.

Thought we were bad but United were atrocious. Very very lucky to get a point.

And if anyone thought we were bad with Keane at centre-half, well imagine if we had Varane?

Newcastle will be well up for us and, as we are the team that just keeps on giving…?

I loathe Newcastle with their foghorn "passion". Fat, topless dickheads, fortissimo. I hope they are relegated and never come back. Unlikely, I know.

I've always hated them. They think they're full of authenticity but they're a very close second to the Eternal Gobshites.

Fuck them.

Stop sitting on the fence, Tony.

It'll definitely be a tough game on Thursday, if it goes ahead, and we'll need to be up for fight because Newcastle aren't going quietly.

Would love Newcastle to go down, again,
what Tony said.

Barcodes let it slip again but let's face it Manure have not been impressive this season.

It will be a tough game on Thursday if it's played but then all games are tough for Everton these days.

I've been sick for 4 days, what have l missed?

And Newcastle fans seem to hate us. One reason l read was that we supported Sunderland over them.

An interesting few weeks coming up. There are certainly loan players available for a start.

Great. Newcastle did the double on us last season and Bournemouth did the same in Eddie Howe's last season with them when they went down! Doesn't sound promissing for us!

With their injuries tonight I wouldn't be surprised if Newcastle try for a postponement on Thursday.

No news from Finch F as to where we stand regarding our covid cases either, not hopeful of the game going ahead tbh.

Tony # 57. HEAR HEAR!!

Let's take the positives and beat the Barcodes on Thursday at Goodison Park.

UTFT!

Thought I'd soothe my depression with all things Everton by watching the Test Match... hmm, yeah, great decision that was!!

Nicholas, they are an embarrassment. They should be made to stay there.

David Pearl, the Aussies have skills based immigration. So obviously, nobody in the present England team would be allowed to stay there.

I have some very good and long-standing Newcastle supporting friends, but as a collective, they are righteous and the self-declared biggest club in the land who consider themselves on a par with Manchester United for some reason.

And having been talked into putting a pound on them winning at 25 - 1 last night, they cost me!